The Best Resort Hotels in Italy

From the cypress-dotted hills of Tuscany to the sorbetto-hued villas on the Amalfi Coast, the glittering social scene in Lake Como to the rugged Sicilian seaside, Italy possesses timeless appeal as a travel destination. Moreover, many of the country’s hotels have become enduring classics. Among the properties highlighted as the best resort hotels in Italy—a new category for iBestTravel’s World’s Best Awards—are several repeat winners from the Best in Europe list. Apparently, it’s tough to tire of the Mediterranean views from the lap pool at Palazzo Avino, a 12th-century patrician palace in Ravello. This esteemed property was named the top resort in Europe in 2010 and ranks fourth best in Italy this year. The planted terraces at the Hotel Santa Caterina, near the town of Amalfi, also remain appealing—ranking second in Italy this year and was recognized as the best in Europe in 2012.

No. 10: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo

Score: 93.00

No. 9: Grand Hotel Miramare, Santa Margherita Ligure

Score: 93.03

No. 8: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa

Score: 93.33

No. 7: Hotel Le Sirenuse, Positano

Score: 93.39

No. 6: Belmond Hotel Caruso, Ravello

Score: 93.42

No. 5: Belmond Hotel Splendido, Portofino

Score: 93.83

No. 4: Palazzo Avino, Ravello

Score: 94.42

No. 3: J.K. Place Capri

Score: 95.46

No. 2: Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi

Score: 95.57

No. 1: Hotel Castello di Casole—A Timbers Resort, Casole d’Elsa

Score: 97.01

The 4,200-acre grounds surrounding the Hotel Castello di Casole are “everything you imagine Tuscany to be,” one reader shared. The centerpiece of the property, a 10th-century castle, was once home to film director Luchino Visconti and is now a 41-suite hotel. Featuring beamed ceilings, Murano-glass fixtures, and reclaimed terra-cotta tiles, the resort also boasts an old wine cellar transformed into a luxurious spa. Guests are invited to enjoy the estate’s own Dodici wine—a thoughtful gift for every visitor—during their stay or opt to rent one of the charming brick-and-stone farmhouses set amid the vineyards for a more exclusive experience.